Investment Instruments

The cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 may not be as large as last year's 2.5%, but with six months to go until the SSA makes its announcement in October, tariff increases, which could lead to higher inflation, may change that, according to The Senior Citizens League.

Following the administration's tariff announcement, approximately $169 billion was lost during the April 3-8 trading day period (and $248.8 billion in assets in 2025), according to the non-profit pension fund institution.

Senator Tommy Tuberville has reintroduced the Financial Freedom Act, which would give retirement plan participants the ability to control how their assets are invested, while reversing DOL regulatory guidance on cryptocurrency.

Following a "wrongful use" of 401(k) forfeited funds lawsuit filed in January, the banking giant is now being sued by employees over $2.4 million in plan assets that were invested in an in-house stable value fund.

Most (92%) employees agreed that it was important to have choice in and control of the investments in their plans and more than eight out of 10 said that their DC plan offered "a good lineup of investment options," according to the Investment Company Institute.

The Labor Department has filed a motion to pause two federal court cases challenging the Retirement Security Rule, which was finalized last April and had been set to go into effect last September, but has been beset by lawsuits.